Hockey Partner-Robot

ABSTRACT

The hockey game simulator comprising a playing area covered by ice or low friction hockey shooting surface, a hockey gate equipped with goal sensors, the backside screen and electromechanical Hockey Robot-Partner that is controlled by remote PC via wireless line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATED-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a game simulators and training aids and more particularly to hockey simulators, equipped with an electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot also known as mechanical tee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hockey game simulators and more specifically it relates to a goalie and hockey player training system providing a realistic training system that can be also utilized for entertainment purposes.

There are number of known game simulators. For example, there are many machines which allow users to practice golf or baseball skills, or to play a simulated golf game. Game simulations allow a player experiencing game action or improving his or her skill in a game. Some of these simulators can be also used for entertainment purposes providing close to real situation on a playing area. Usually they comprise a wailed frame or portable batting cage inside; wherein a ball is suspended in front of the player for baseball game simulation, such as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,018 to Kelly. Another simulator dedicated to hockey game is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,652 to Woronets that provides a hockey practice alley for developing and improving the skills of a hockey player.

All of such game simulators comprise puck/ball hitting training aids designed to simulate baseball, tennis, soccer and hockey games, which utilize puck/ball throwing apparatus, such as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,883 to Smalley; U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,931 to Trajkovoc; U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,761 to Parente; U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,730 to Weiner; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,348 to Griffith. A number of conventional devices may employ apparatus simulating plurality of shooters hitting puck at different angles, such as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,673 to Mason. However, in general, such combination of playing area with conventional puck hitting training aids may suffer from various deficiencies. For instance, they are not suitable for providing a realistic training system that accommodates a goalie and simulates a plurality of shooters that shoot puck from different positions at different angles and different speed. Also, such conventional systems are not suitable for entertainment purposes providing close to real situation on a playing area.

In these respects, the goalie and hockey player training system of the present invention is significantly different from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. It provides the realistic training system that accommodates a goalie or hockey player, a playing area with a hockey gate, which additionally comprises a screen displaying video of hockey player attack with plurality of shooters attacking at different angles and the electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot that randomly changes its position and shoots puck at different angles and different speed corresponded with situation on the screen so providing close to realistic hockey game simulation.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to offer a novel realistic goalie/hockey player training system/simulator, which is also suitable for entertainment purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention alleviates the disadvantages of the prior art by utilization a playing area equipped with a hockey gate and LCD or projection backside screen that, according to special program loaded in PC, displays video of different situation on hockey field taken from real hockey game with plurality of hockey players attacking said game at different angles and the electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot controlled by said PC, which moves on the playing area, randomly changing its position and shooting puck at different angles with different speed corresponded with situation on the screen so providing close to realistic hockey game simulation. Said PC-controlled electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot can operate in a number of modes, such as shooting to gate, passing puck to a hockey player and throwing.

Said PC-controlled electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot comprises movable platform with the rechargeable puck-shooting apparatus wirelessly connected to the remote PC that, according to the special software, controls position of said Hockey Partner-Robot, directs and initiates puck hitting machine in such a way that corresponds with hockey game situation displayed on said backside screen.

Said PC-controlled electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot also comprises horizontal hollow arm containing a number of pucks to perform throwing.

Two rangefinders mounted on sides of said back screen together with a hydroscopic unit mounted in said Hockey Partner-Robot allow accurately identifying its position on the playing area.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents the general view of the playing area.

FIG. 2 depicts the Hockey Partner-Robot in details.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The hockey game simulator of the present invention can be configured as depicted in FIG. 1. Said simulator comprises the playing area (hockey rink) 1 covered by ice or a plastic ice simulator—a low friction hockey shooting surface—surrounded by boards 2, hockey gate 3 equipped with goal sensors 4, frontal screen 5, backside screen 6 mounted on board 2 opposite gate 3 and electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot 7 that is controlled by remote PC 9 via a wireless line 11 comprising a radio transmitter 10 connected to said PC, wherein position said Hockey Partner-Robot on the playing area is determined by means of two radio rangefinders 8 placed on opposite edges of said backside screen 5. Said Hockey Partner-Robot 7, which is depicted in details on FIG. 2, simulates attacking hockey player shooting puck at different angles with different speed; wherein shooting is corresponded with situation displayed on screens 5 and 6. Said Hockey Partner-Robot comprises movable platform 21 equipped with four ball wheels 22 and two driving frontal wheels 23, wherein each of them is mechanically connected to individual electrical motor 24 so allows said Hockey Partner-Robot moving and rotating in different directions. Said Hockey Partner-Robot also comprises set of batteries 25 feeding electrical motors 24, which is controlled by said PC via said wireless line.

To perform multiple shooting, said Hockey Partner-Robot also comprises vertical magazine 26 containing a number of pucks that is mechanically connected to horizontal electromagnetic shooting gun 27 electrically connected to special power supply 28 producing controllable electrical pulses so providing variable shooting force in accordance with PC program; wherein shooting gun 27 is mounted on said platform and rotating together with said platform in horizontal plane so shooting puck at different angles.

To provide shooting at different vertical angles, shooting gun 27 is additionally equipped with plate 41, which can be turned in vertical plane by means of electrical motor 42 about horizontal axis joined to the edge of said plate.

To provide said wireless line, said Hockey Partner-Robot also comprises receiver-transmitter 29 for wireless connection equipped with antenna 30, which is connected to logical block 31 decoding signals from said PC and developing number of commands for said Hockey Partner-Robot operation.

To provide angular orientation of said Hockey Partner-Robot on horizontal plane, it is equipped with gyroscopic unit 40, which communicates with said PC via said wireless line. To detect position of said Hockey Partner-Robot on the playing area, two radio rangefinders 8 are placed on opposite edges of said frontal screen 5 that communicate with receiver 28; wherein information about distances from each of said radio rangefinders 8 to said Hockey Partner-Robot 7 and information about its angular orientation are processed by said PC; therefore it allows to completely determine position of said Hockey Partner-Robot 7 on playing area 1.

To protect inside elements of said Hockey Partner-Robot from ambient condition and accidental collisions, it is covered by durable plastic jacket 32.

For another mode of hockey player training said Hockey Partner-Robot optionally comprises a throw machine, which has extendable hollow arm 33 comprising electromagnetic pusher 34 that is pushing pucks to the end of said arm having an opening covered by movable lid 35 from which said pucks fall down; wherein said lid is controlled by electromotor 36. Also, said Hockey Partner-Robot comprises rod 37 controlled by electromagnet 38 installed in frame 21 of said Hockey Partner-Robot, which is activated in the moment of throwing, so trying to kick out the puck and not to allow the player gain control of the puck; wherein expandable arm 33 is extended and curtailed manually when such hockey player training starts and finish.

To detect goal, gate 3 equipped with magnetic sensors 4—conductive contours positioned on gate's frame—that send electrical signal to said PC when said pick passes gate 3; wherein the puck has small magnetic element embodied in.

For communication between a hockey player and said PC the player is equipped with miniature control panel 12 that allows to set duration of the game and change its mode, such as goalie training when said Hockey Partner-Robot kicks puck directly to gate, forward training when said Hockey Partner-Robot pass puck to a player (forward) and when said Hockey Partner-Robot pass to the player and the player pass puck to said Hockey Partner-Robot backward in series; wherein control panel 12 also communicates with rangefinders 8 to detect position of the player on the playing area in the case when said Hockey Partner-Robot directly playing with the player, therefore allows PC to organize such game.

A hockey stick is also equipped with stop button 13 that allows the player to stop game in the case of emergency or when the player decides to stop the game.

Optionally, another player situated beside said playing area is equipped with joystick 14 communicating with said remote PC, which allows him to manually control said Hockey Partner-Robot so playing vs. the hockey player.

To provide close to real hockey game simulation said playing area is equipped with frontal LCD screen 6 and backside screen 5 that according to special program loaded in said PC displays different situation on hockey field taken from real hockey game; wherein these situations are synchronized with action of said Hockey Partner-Robot. Optionally screens 5 and 6 can be projection ones.

Said PC has the set of special programmable training and entertainment modes reflecting different situation on playing area (hockey rink) 1, which includes:

-   -   forward attack when said Hockey Partner-Robot kicks puck to the         gate and the goalie defends the gate keeping pucks from going         in; wherein only single player—goalie —involves in the game,     -   forward attack when said Hockey Partner-Robot passes puck to the         forward that kicks puck to the gate; wherein two player are         involve in this game—the forward and the goalie,     -   training mode when said Hockey Partner-Robot and the player pass         puck to each other in series; wherein only single player is         involved in this game as a partner of said Hockey Partner-Robot     -   training mode when said Hockey Partner-Robot throws the puck by         means of arm 33 and rod 37 tries to kick out the puck and not to         allow the player gain control of the puck; wherein only single         player is involved in this game as a partner of said Hockey         Partner-Robot.

The system operates as follows:

-   -   The player(s) selects the mode of training so starting the         program by means of said control panel that communicates with         said PC; wherein time of the game is selected by the player.     -   PC switches on said Hockey Partner-Robot, backside screen 5 with         rangefinders 8 and all sensors; wherein backside screen 5 and         frontal screen 6 start showing dynamic images related to chosen         mode of training.     -   According to the scenario of the training or entertainment mode         said Hockey Partner-Robot starts performing action written in PC         program, which depends on said training or entertainment mode,         so shoots to gate or passes pick to player; wherein backside         screen 5 and frontal screen 6 display situation on hockey field         taken from real game and said Hockey Partner-Robot simulates the         player displayed on said screens.     -   The game ends when the time is over or the player stops game         pressing stop button 13 on the hockey stick.     -   The PC counts scores and displays it on backside screen 5. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hockey game simulator comprising a playing area covered by ice or a low friction hockey shooting surface, a hockey gate equipped with goal sensors, a backside LCD screen, which, according to a special program loaded in a remote PC, displays different situation on hockey field taken from real hockey game, an electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot; wherein said electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot is controlled by said remote PC by means of a wireless line so assisting a hockey player on said playing area.
 2. The hockey game simulator of claim 1 additionally comprising two rangefinders positioned on opposite sides of backside screen of claim 1; wherein said rangefinders communicate with electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot of claim 1 that allows remote PC of claim 1 detecting position of said electromechanical Hockey Partner-Robot on playing area of claim
 1. 3. The Hockey Partner-Robot of claim 1 comprising four ball wheels and two driving wheels; wherein each of said driving wheels is mechanically connected to an individual electromotor controlled by remote PC of claim 1 that allows said Hockey Partner-Robot moving and rotating in different directions.
 4. The Hockey Partner-Robot of claim 1 additionally comprising a horizontal electromagnetic shooting gun controlled by remote PC of claim 1, which, to perform multiple shooting, is mechanically connected to vertical magazine containing a number of pucks.
 5. The Hockey Partner-Robot of claim 1 additionally comprising a radio receiver-transmitter to communicate with remote PC of claim 1 and rangefinders of claim
 2. 6. The Hockey Partner-Robot of claim 1 additionally comprising a gyroscope unit that together with two rangefinders of claim 2 allows detecting position and angular orientation of Hockey Partner-Robot of claim 1 on playing area of claim 1; wherein information about said position and angular orientation is transmitted to remote PC of claim 1 via wireless line of claim
 1. 7. The Hockey Partner-Robot of claim 1 additionally comprising a hollow extendable arm containing a number of pucks, which has a hole on its end covered by a lid controlled by an electromotor; wherein said arm is equipped with an electromagnetic pusher that pushes pucks to the end of said arm so performing throw when pucks falls down from said opening when said lid opens said hole.
 8. A control panel used by a hockey player to communicate with remote PC of claim 1; wherein said control panel contains buttons that allow setting time of game, changing modes of the game and starting game.
 9. A hockey stick equipped with a stop button; wherein a hockey player can stop game before time of the game is expired or in the case of emergency.
 10. A joystick communicating with remote PC of claim 1 that allows another player manually controlling Hockey Partner-Robot of claim 1; wherein Hockey Partner-Robot of claim 1 playing vs. or assisting a hockey player. 